The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-20
ANNA DICKINSON VERY ILL.
Her Ultimate Recovery Hoped For-Why She
Wrote to Wilson Barrett

son has had a narrow escape from death, and is
still in very feeble and precarious condition.
This seems to be the elimination of long peri
cd of illness extending over the past two years,
and her friends who now look hopefully to her
ultimate recovery rejoice to think that this he
roic woman has come safely through the valley
of the shadow of DEATH A little over two weeks
ago Miss Dickinsons devoted sister, Susan who
of late has relnqulshed nearly all literary work
SO that she might be able to give her undivided
attention to the distinguished invalid, took her
to Honesdale in the hope that the pure air of the
picturesque little town might be able to Go for
her what medicine and medical attention had
hitherto failed to accomplish. The two sisters
had spent some pleasant summers in she "Maple
City," as Honesdale is sometimes called, and it
was not altogether without its romantic aud lit
erary associations we'll picturesque attrac
TONS for just across the river Dyberry, rising
abruptly like a sentinel, 10 Irvipgs Cliff, named
In honor of Washington Irving upon the occasion
of the Industrious authors visit to this place many
years ago in company with the well-remem bered
Philip Hone, from whom the town derived its
name. Miss Dickinson's visit to Honesdale did
not have the desired effect Instead of her con-
dition improving she became worse. and week
ago last Sunday it was feared that she was at
the point of death. In consideration of her feeble
condition none of the church bells at Honesdale
were rung for divine worship that day. and
many anxious inquiries were made after her
health until late in the evening by her numerous
friends. Gradually she began to improve, and
now, thanks to the tender bestowed on her,
her friends able to announce that they con-
slider the crisis of her disease is past, and, al
though she is still feeble. the fears of return of
dangerous and alarming symptoms are no longer
entertained. Her physicians say that if she is
be herself again, and regain her former health.
she must have a complete change of climate and
a long season of rest from and anxiety.
This they deem an absolute necessity in order to
restore her old-time power and vigor and
interest in her work. While this brave
making prolonged fight with death, some of
the newspapers have been printing pretended in
terviews with her. 1t is due to her even now,
when at last she seems In a fair way to recovery
although with long convalescence before her
to say that not one of those manufactured in
terviews was authorized by her. One of the al
legged interviews, which made great pretense to
exactness of detail, represent ted her being
ious to sell her play. 'Aurelian." to Wilson Bar
Fett during the visit of the English tragedian to
this country. and that it was her desire to enact
the part of Zenobia to the hero of the London
star. This gave great offense to Miss Dickinson,
especially as it was widely copied the news
papers, and her many friends and admirers
throughout the country will be interested to
know that almost quite the last thing that
last almost fatal phase was to write the follow
ing letter to Mr.. Wilson Barrett on the eve of
his sailing from America
PITTsBURG, Penn. May 49, 1887.
To Mr.. Wilson Barrett:
There has recently been sent me Philadelphia pa
per containing alleged interview with myself, with
the added inform alton that attention has been
called to it. The article purports forth my in
tentions regarding my play of .Aurelian :" to the
tent of settling the cast with Wilson Barrett in the tt
tie role myself Zenobia, the production be in
England while also stating that have seen
you. and am myself disabled by illness You do not
know me. you yet entirely familiar with
of the methods of the American newspaper report
Consequently it is due myself to state that the
entire article, without abatement is a lie have
pressed to no one-newspaper person other person.
in public or private-any opinion in regard to your
self since prolonged sickness has forbidden the pleas
of seeing you the stage, any plan of my
in regard to future work here abroad any
purpose in regard to ''Aurelian beyond a standing
promise to give readings from it in the future
therefore, decline be held for the fool
ishness that l have believe has been
brought to your ear and that has certainly been
brought TO your eye, in regard to this matter. Be
assured If l had any business to set before you I
would have done so at first hand and not through
the medium OF impertinent and irresponsible
scribbler.
Regretting the disagreeable necessity that compes
this explanation, believe to be yours truly,
ANNA Z. DICKINSON.
This letter is made public for the first
time, Miss Dckinsons immediate friends feel
ing that its publication is due to her and TO her
many admirers throughout the country, who
may have been misled by the absurd in terview
of which it is a contradiction, and which is still
going the rounds of the press. The Tlmes's
respondent ascertained this morning that, al
though Miss Dickinson bright and clear
headed ever. she is still physically feeble
that it will be some days before she is able to
ride out, and her physician thinks it will take
years entire recruiting in a favorable climate to
restore her to her former good health.